Albury’s Luke Packer, North Albury’s Jordan Harrington, Wodonga’s Tom Bowring and Wodonga Raiders’ Sam Murray put their rivalry aside yesterday to pay their respects to fallen soldiers at the Albury Library Museum.

Wodonga and Raiders do battle at Birallee Park today, Albury and North Albury clash at Albury Sportsground while Yarrawonga takes on Corowa-Rutherglen.

Albury co-coach Daniel Maher said it was a big occasion and “a privilege” to play on Anzac Day. 

OPINION | Anzac Day is a day where football must come a distant second

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It's time for us to make a statement, declares Maher

ALBURY co-coach Daniel Maher is confident the Tigers will put a spasmodic start to the Ovens and Murray season behind them when they take on North Albury at Albury Sportsground today.

While the reigning premier is undefeated after three rounds, poor conversion and lapses in concentration have kept opposition teams in matches for longer than many expected.

Maher said yesterday it was time to right those wrongs.

“It’s statement day for us,” he said.

“There should be a big crowd, it’s a big occasion and we are playing a side on the way up.

“North have had a couple of lean years but they have some good kids who are providing spark.

“The only way you can contain that is by winning the footy.

“It’s a privilege to play on Anzac Day and we’re keen to give a really good account of ourselves.”

While North Albury coach Jason Akermanis believes the Tigers are vulnerable without four of their best players in Angus Graham, Luke Daly, Chris Hyde and Jay Koehler, Maher wasn’t buying into any slanging match.

But he acknowledged North Albury had reason to be up and about after beating an in-form Wodonga Raiders last weekend.

“It’s probably their most dangerous side for a while,” he said.

“They have a bit of the unknown about them.

“(Jordan) Harrington is up and about, (Josh) Lloyd is back, the Holmans are in good form and (Dan) Leslie is playing a more versatile role this season.

“That makes them a dangerous side.”

Young Albury forward Jim Grills has been rewarded for his persistence by being called up to make his debut.

Grills joined the club from Holbrook last season before suffering a season-ending knee injury in their final pre-season clash against Benalla.

“He’s done everything right to get back,” Maher said.

“As well as being a good young player, the people at Holbrook and Albury will tell you what a fantastic young bloke he is.”

North Albury last defeated Albury on Anzac Day in 2008.

Raiders out the square the Ledger

WODONGA Raiders will be out to square their win-loss record against Wodonga when the cross-town Ovens and Murray rivals clash at Birallee Park today.

In 53 confrontations since the Raiders were admitted to the league in 1989, the Bulldogs lead head-to-head battles 27-26.

But few have been more eagerly awaited than the clash between the competition’s most improved teams, with Wodonga coach Dean Harding expecting their rivals to come out firing.

“It’s a huge game for both clubs,” Harding said.

“We just want to continue what we have been doing.”

There will be plenty of interest in the clash between Wodonga ruckmen Sam Maher and Matt Seiter and Wodonga Raiders giant Hayden Heta.

Heta was set to return to his former club this season before having a change of heart and opting to line up alongside his brother, Dean, at Birallee Park.

“He made his choice and we have moved on,” Harding said.

Raiders coach Daryn Cresswell said it was important his team bounced back immediately from last weekend’s disappointing showing.

“We are going to have some inconsistencies coming from the base we are coming from, but you don’t want to make the same mistakes two weeks in a row,” Cresswell said.

“Hopefully we learnt from the North Albury game.”

The match starts at 3.15pm.

We are better than our start: Yarrawonga

YARRAWONGA’S 1-2 start to the season has the players pretty unhappy and looking to make amends against the unpredictable Corowa-Rutherglen on Anzac Day today.

The Pigeons were rolled by Wodonga in the wet last weekend, gifting the rising Bulldogs three telling free kicks in the second quarter, and coach Drew Barnes said the team was ready to turn it around.

“The boys were absolutely dirty on themselves after the game last week,” he said.

“But, to their credit, they’re responded on the training track, getting a win will be important coming into the bye.”

There’s plenty riding on today’s match for both Yarrawonga and Corowa-Rutherglen, with both looking to even up their respective ledgers after 1-2 starts to the season.

“It’s a danger game, no doubt,” Barnes said.

“They’ll have a bit of momentum after a win last week and they’re an improving side.

“It’s a must-win game for us.”

After losing several reliable players leading into the season, Barnes admitted the first three rounds hadn’t gone to plan.

But he didn’t rule out a top three finish, saying the Pigeons’ best was yet to come.

“It’s too early to be looking that far ahead,” Barnes said.

“Obviously we haven’t had the ideal start to the year, but we know that if we keep picking up wins where we can we’ll be a force.

“There’s still a number of players to return from injury in the coming weeks, we know that if we keep in touch with the top end of the ladder we’ll be in a good position going into the second half of the season.”

Yarrawonga will be sporting special heritage jumpers in recognition of local servicemen.

The design is based on the one used by the club in 1914, and Barnes was confident it would give the Pigeons an extra push as they run out onto the ground.

“It’s a unique occasion, all the players are excited for something a little bit different,” he said.

“We’ll have an acknowledgement to mark Anzac Day before the game, and it’ll be a slightly different build up for some of our players compared to other matches.

“Some will bear it in mind, others less so, but having that jumper on is a great thing for this team.”